Special Education
In School Support
Each student has individual needs and therefore requires different supports. Inschool
supports include:
Special Education Resource Teachers (SERTS)
The role of Special Education Resource Teachers is coordination, implementation,
and evaluation of the individualized education plan for each identified student.
They provide academic assessment and prescriptive planning, direct assistance to
the student and/or indirect assistance through consultation or team teaching with
the classroom teacher and provision of appropriate materials/equipment. The
SERTs work in conjunction with the regular classroom teacher and school team.
They apply for Special Needs Funding if necessary. They train, monitor and
schedule teacher assistants.
Special Education Classroom Teachers (Low Enrolment)
The role of Special Education classroom teacher is to take primary responsibility
for the students on the class list and to ensure appropriate programming is provided
in all curriculum areas. They coordinate the development, implementation
and evaluation of the individual education plan for each student with appropriate
support staff and parents. They train and monitor teacher assistants and report to
parents. They also apply for Special Needs Funding if necessary.
Educational Assistants
Educational Assistants provide support to teachers and students. They are under general supervision of the principal and the specific direction of the teacher.
Principals
See Special Education Policy IGBA.
Child Guidance Clinic
Tel: 786-7841
Fax: 783-6068
700 Elgin Avenue, 2nd Floor
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 1B2
The Child Guidance Clinic is a school-based support service that provides
clinical services to students, parents and teachers in Winnipeg School Division
as well as other school divisions in metropolitan Winnipeg. The Clinic is
administered by the Winnipeg School Division and provides services on a
shared cost basis with other participating school divisions. The services of the
Clinic are provided at no charge to children and their families. The costs of
the services are covered by Manitoba Education & Youth and the participating
school divisions.
Generally the services provided by clinicians are developed in partnership
with the school’s support team. The school may request support in the following
areas:
• Assessment and treatment of children’s problems and needs
• Consultations with teachers, parents and other agencies
• Provision of programs for others working with the student
• Meet with families to develop support plans
• Prevention activities, such as parenting programs
• Provision of workshops and talks to community groups
• Research
• Professional development programs
Clinic services are organized on a team basis which usually include:
• Speech-Language Pathologist: helps students who have problems in
language, speech, voice and fluency and provides support to their
teachers.
• Reading Clinician: provides assistance to students who have reading
and other learning difficulties.
• Social Worker: assists families of children with special needs in regards
to management issues, emotional and social problems and in
dealing with the various agencies involved.
• School Psychologist: assists classroom teachers and parents in diagnosing
the academic and social/emotional needs of the child and implementing
suitable interventions.
• Psychiatrist: assists with assessment, diagnosis and consultation. Psychiatry
is provided at Child Guidance Clinic offices through Manitoba
Adolescent Treatment Centre. Children with developmental problems
are usually referred to the Neurodevelopmental Clinic.
• Audiologist: provides support to students with hearing loss and assists
teachers and parents in managing these students.
Child Guidance clinicians work under the direction of an Area Service Director.
They develop an understanding of the student needs in the geographic region in
which they work and a knowledge of the resources available.
Schools have referral forms and referrals are discussed with school personnel
and parents and channeled through a school support team. Services are provided
on request and with the consent of the parent or guardian.
How can a parent reach a clinician?
• Contact the school and talk to the teacher or principal. They can make a
referral to the Child Guidance Clinic. In this way, the school, the family
and the Child Guidance Clinic can become a team working together to
benefit your child.
• You may talk directly to a clinician in your child’s school. Clinicians
have regularly scheduled time in schools.
School Therapy Services
Tel: 452-4311
Fax: 786-6068
633 Wellington Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 0A8
The purpose of School Therapy Services is to provide physiotherapy and/or
occupational therapy or consultation support services in the school setting for
students with Special Needs.
The goal is to enhance the learning potential of the disabled student and to
facilitate his/her adaptation to the education environment.
Services provided are as follows:
1. Assessment;
2. Written report of assessment findings and recommendations;
3. Consultation with school staff and other service providers;
4. Training of ancillary personnel as required, monitoring and program
modification as necessary;
5. Liaison with medical personnel and other agencies;
6. Direct therapy as required;
7. Assessment and recommendations regarding architectural barriers, environmental
adaptations and adapted equipment to enhance independence.
The following guidelines regarding occupational and physiotherapy services to
Winnipeg School Division students will apply:
1. Eligible students are those who:
a) are registered in Division Special Education programs;
b) are registered in K-S4;
c) have a long-term disability which significantly impairs their functional abilities
in school.
2. For screening consultation, assessment, direct service and consultation
and/or monitoring, priority is for:
a) students with profound multiple disabilities (Low Incidence Level III);
b) students with severe physical/multiple disabilities (Low Incidence Level II);
c) students with significant cognitive impairment.
Referral forms may be completed by teachers, physicians, public health nurses,
or other health/education professionals. Written parental consent is obtained by
School Therapy Services and must be received before assessment or treatment
can be initiated.
Vision Consultants
Tel: 945-7842
Manitoba Education and Youth
Program and Student Services Branch
206-1181 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 0T3
The Department of Manitoba Education and Youth provides Vision Consultant
Services to students whose best corrected visual acuity is 20/70 or less or who
have less than 20 degrees of field of vision or whose information reveals extenuating
conditions (e.g. deteriorating eye condition). They provide direct
teaching to students and consultation to parents and school staff.
Nurse Educator
Tel: 788-0203
Prince Charles, E.R.C.
1075 Wellington Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J7
The Nurse Educator provides support in schools by consulting with teachers and
staff about a student with special health care needs, training teacher assistants in
specific care procedures and assisting in writing Individual Health Care Plans.
Community Liaison Officers
Tel: 788-0203
Prince Charles, E.R.C.
1075 Wellington Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J7
The Community Liaison Officers role is to:
• Provide knowledge to professionals regarding various cultural differences
and needs of immigrants;
• Assist in bilingual assessments and the development of diagnostic tools;
• Provide reliable interpreter services;
• Work closely with existing ethnic organizations and resources and act as
agency liaison;
• Act as a therapeutic agent within families and with individuals serving
as a mediator and role model regarding social skills and problemsolving;
• Assist parents in understanding the school system.
What other Special Education supports are provided?
• Environmental/building modifications
• Special instructional programs
• Special instructional and teaching strategies
• Assistive technology
Adaptive Aquatics
Elementary students in adaptive skills programs have access to an adaptive
aquatics program that provides adaptive swimming lessons for students
with disabilities who require a warm pool and intensive instruction
supports.
Adaptive Physical Education
Adaptive physical education support is provided for many students with
significant disabilities who require an individually designed physical education
program. On one hand, they may have physical disabilities which
dictate alternative activities or adaptation to typical activities. On the
other hand, they may require a functional, community-oriented curriculum
which includes instruction in lifetime leisure activities.
An experienced teacher is available part-time to consult with and support
physical education teachers and organize some interschool activities.
Community Transition Program
Community Transition Program is a specialized program within the Special
Education Department. One work education teacher, two vocational trainers
and one mobility trainer serve secondary students from various Special
Education programs throughout the Division. Community transition is the
passage from school to community life. It represents the change from a
school-based curriculum to a work-oriented program. The curriculum
stresses life skills, work education and career development.
The work education components include:
• Work skills assessment
• Group work site placement
• Individual work experience
• Time-limited job placement and support.
All students are required by Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth to
have a Transition Plan at 16 years of age.
Music Therapy Program
Some specialized programs have music therapy programs.
